What Its Like to Run with Google Glass

What It's Like to Run with Google Glass

Yes, it makes you feel like a Jetson. No, it doesn't make you feel nauseous.

What It's Like to Run with Google GlassYes, it makes you feel like a Jetson. No, it doesn't make you feel nauseous.

Giuseppe Costantino

Recently, I was running along New York City's West Side Highway when a biker passed me—and proceeded to almost fall off of his bike as he turned around to stare back at me. He wasn't ogling me—he was ogling Google Glass, which I happened to be wearing at the time.

Recently, Google made Glass available to anyone who wants to be an explorer (at least while supplies last). But I got a chance to visit Google's New York offices and test-drive a pair without investing $1,500—and quickly discovered that, when you're wearing the device, you become the subject of a lot of double takes.

Whenever I tell people I ran with Glass, they ask if it made me nauseous to see a screen in front of me the whole time. In reality, the "screen" for Glass isn't always on. And even when it is being projected in your line of sight, it doesn't dominate your vision—it's kind of like having a TV on in the corner of the room that you can choose to glance at (or not glance at).

I know what you're thinking—if you don't see a screen all the time, then what's the point? Allow me to explain: With the fitness app Strava, which I tested, you can choose to turn on the screen and check on your mileage, pace, split pace, elevation, and more at any point during a run or ride. It also announces when you hit each mile through the device's bone conduction transducer, a speaker that allows you to hear things via vibrations sent through your bones. (The end result is that you can hear sounds from Glass without wearing headphones, but no one else can). Then, when you're finished with your run or ride, Glass syncs this information with your Strava account so you can keep track of all of your workouts.

While I admit it's pretty impressive to be able to access so much information without staring at a physical screen, maybe I'm technologically spoiled; using Strava didn't feel so different to me than using a similar app (or the same one, for that matter) on my phone.

That said, I think there are a lot of other fun features runners and cyclists will love about Glass. Here are some worth highlighting:

Voice actions: Say you're nearing the end of your run and you want to stop at a Whole Foods afterward to pick up a snack. Just say, "OK, Glass, where's the closest Whole Foods?" and the screen below appears before your eyes. (You can also prompt Glass to give you directions there.)

Granted, I had a little trouble using voice actions on my run because it was very windy the day I went out with Glass—but indoors, it worked perfectly. So I'd imagine that on a less blustery day I wouldn't have had as many issues with this functionality.

Pictures: Sometimes, the best part of a run is the photos you take during it—and with Glass, you can take snapshots by saying, "OK, Glass, take a picture" or by tapping a button above your right eye. To take videos, you just press and hold the same button down or say, "OK, Glass, record a video." This is so much quicker and easier than pulling out a phone and looking at your screen that you could even do it safely while biking. Fun fact: With Glass, there's not even a viewfinder because the gadget captures what you're seeing from your exact vantage point. Here are a couple of the many (many) photos I took on my run. (You can also check out some of my video footage.)

Evernote: Have you ever, in the middle of a six-mile run, thought of a genius solution to a problem you've been having at work? Or maybe you just want to remember to sign up for a class at a hot yoga studio you pass on your route. Just say, "OK, Glass, take a note with Evernote, sign up for session at Modern Yoga" to get a written reminder on your phone later. Similarly, you can also send text messages on the go just by speaking to Glass. Here's what you'd see on your screen:

LynxFit: This personal-training app prompts you to do moves like lunges and squats, then counts how many you've completed to keep you honest. Here's a photo of me trying it out:

Word Lens: OK, this isn't exactly essential for runners or bikers. But if you find yourself in another country, it might be useful—and it's just too cool to not mention. If you look at a sign in Portuguese, German, Italian, French, or Spanish, Glass will actually translate the message for you and make it appear as though you're seeing the same sign in English. Take a look—the original sign this person was viewing is the inset on the top right, whereas the main image is the one that was generated by Word Lens:

In short, while we may not have flying cars yet, it looks like the future of fitness is pretty badass.